Marcus Burr Jr.

Reverend Dr. Marcus L. Burr, Jr., 98, passed peacefully on May 5, 2025. Marc was born in Elmira, NY in 1927. Joining the US Navy on his 18th birthday, he served on Guam during WWII - and was inspired to become a minister. Returning home in 1946, Marc enrolled at Mansfield State Teachers College, PA and met a lovely nurse, Maggie. After graduating in 1949 they eloped on his way to the Bloomfield Seminary in New Jersey. Their family was started during this time, and Marc served as a Lay Preacher with the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches. In 1953, and ordination in the Presbyterian Church of the USA, his ministry continued with the Pioneer Parish near Honesdale, PA (Bethany, Dyberry, Cold Spring, and Rileyville), then the churches in Pottsgrove and Mooresburg, PA. In 1959 the family moved to the Navajo Nation, serving the mission in Kayenta, AZ, and facilities in Dennehotso, AZ, and Oljeto, UT. 1966 brought a move to the church in Deming, NM. While in Deming he completed his Doctorate of Ministry through the McCormick Theological Seminary (1978, Chicago, IL). A new adventure began in 1989 at the Kirk of the Keys in Marathon, FL. Retiring in 1997, Marc and Maggie returned to NM where Marc became a Parish Associate (Minister of Pastoral Care} at First Presbyterian in Las Cruces, and chaplain at the local hospitals until 2014.

Marc was a member of many service and fraternal organizations including Rotary and numerous Masonic Bodies. He was a generous soul, a skilled carpenter, and seemed to be always building something for someone!

Those who preceded Marc in death include his wife of 66 years Margaret Burr, sister Maxine Cohn, brother George Burr, and son-in-law Frank Hartman. Surviving Marc are his children Ted Burr (Elizabeth), John Burr (Ruth Gronquist), Nancy Burr; grandchildren Matt Burr (Loraine Bottorff), Sarah Nichols (Bryan), Erika Burr (Rick Lader), Anna Largen (Erik), Isaac Hartman (Macy Funk), Zel Hartman (John Sullivan); great-grandchildren Nathan, Danny, Nissa, Kaiya, Addilynn, Milo, Lukas, Felix, and Hazel.

The family is extremely grateful for the staff and loving care Marc received at Morningside Assisted Living, and especially those at La Posada Assisted Living during his last months and hours - they are angels on earth! A family celebration of Marc’s life will take place later in the year.